| The system we have in regards to training for soccer | | | | tactical concept for a player to know. Players need to |
| in America is steadily improving. However there are still | | | | learn this early on in their training for soccer. It's easy to |
| some flaws. I coach many kids of various ages and | | | | understand how to move with the ball at your feet, but |
| notice some key things missing from all of them. These | | | | truly exceptional players are always available for their |
| are the 3 areas I feel need the most improvement: | | | | teammates. The best players I have ever played with |
| 1- Long Passing | | | | were always the easiest to understand on the field |
| 2- Movement off the Ball | | | | because their movement was sharp, simple, and early. |
| 3- Understanding of Defensive Marking on Set Plays | | | | This needs to be taught to young Americans. |
| Long passing is really not taught to young players in | | | | This is a very specific topic but young players in this |
| America. Players are taught to use the inside of their | | | | current time have no idea how to mark a player on a |
| foot for short passes and their laces for shots. When | | | | defensive set piece. This is not covered in their training |
| it comes to placing a pass over 30-40 yards, that is | | | | for soccer! The simplest concept of this is to never let |
| left to chance. Players need to be taught how to put | | | | your mark run across your body. Once an attacker |
| back spin on a ball so it'll hold up behind a defense, | | | | get across you, you're beaten. Players must learn how |
| how to drive the ball hard and low to play into a | | | | to position their body to keep their mark on the outside |
| players feet, etc. This needs to be included in the | | | | of them so they have a better chance of winning the |
| training for soccer for our youth. Considering our | | | | ball. |
| country plays a very direct style, one would think that | | | | Important aspects of the game like this can not be left |
| long passing would be a crucial part of our training | | | | to chance. Training for soccer routines must include |
| curriculum, but it is not. | | | | these 3 neglected topics if we plan to ever win a |
| Movement off the ball is arguably the most important | | | | World Cup. |